Director, Executive Recruiting

The Director of Executive Talent Acquisition & Advisory owns the strategy, design, and execution of the enterprise-wide executive recruitment lifecycle.

This leader serves as the architect of an elite, in-house executive search function, managing end-to-end recruitment for critical senior leadership roles (VP, SVP, EVP, and C-suite) across all corporate functions and business units.

This role is based onsite out of our Fort Lauderdale, Corporate Headquarters.

This is not a high-volume transactional recruiting role. This is a high-influence, advisory position requiring a leader who can act as a trusted partner to the CEO, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors. Operating at the intersection of talent acquisition and organizational strategy, this Director will optimize the executive hiring process, elevate the candidate experience for top-tier talent, partner on succession planning, and significantly reduce the organization’s reliance on costly external search firms.

Key Responsibilities

• In-House Executive Search Architecture: Design and scale a highly efficient in-house executive search model that rivals top-tier external search firms, directly lowering enterprise spend while increasing the quality of senior leadership hires.
• Executive Search Execution: Lead the full-lifecycle recruitment for critical executive vacancies, from initial profile calibration and target-company mapping to executive compensation negotiation and seamless executive onboarding.
• Strategic Stakeholder Advisory: Partner directly with the CEO, CHRO, Brand Presidents, and business unit leaders to define talent profiles, align expectations, and provide data-driven talent market insights.
• Executive Market Intelligence & Mapping: Build and maintain proactive, diverse external talent pipelines for critical succession-planning roles, translating industry trends and competitor talent maps into actionable hiring strategies.
• Process Optimization & Candidate Experience: Design and continuously refine a high-touch, highly confidential executive candidate experience that reflects the prestige of the AutoNation brand.
• External Search Firm Management: Manage and evaluate vendor relationships with retained search firms, establishing rigorous standards, negotiated terms, and performance benchmarks for when external search is strictly necessary.
• Succession & Talent Alignment: Align executive sourcing efforts with the organization's long-term corporate strategy, ensuring leadership succession pipelines are robust, diverse, and ready to meet future business demands.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of recruiting experience, including 5+ years running VP, SVP, and C-suite searches
• Closed top level executive searches per year, in-house or at a retained search firm
• 3+ years managing recruiters, researchers, or search partners
• Direct experience advising CEOs, CHROs, and senior leaders on search strategy, slate decisions, and final selection
• Strong direct sourcing skills: target company mapping, passive candidate outreach, and market research without leaning on agencies
• Experience structuring and negotiating executive offers, including base, bonus, equity, sign-on, and relocation
• Experience running confidential searches, including replacements and succession hires
• Working knowledge of Workday or a comparable ATS, plus LinkedIn Recruiter

Preferred Qualifications

• Background at a retained search firm (Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds, Egon Zehnder) followed by an in-house role
• Executive hiring for automotive retail, dealer groups, or multi-site retail operations, such as Market Presidents, regional VPs, and General Managers
• Built or scaled an in-house executive search function, with measurable reduction in retained search fees
• Experience at a Fortune 500 or publicly traded company, including officer-level and board-facing searches
• Track record against hard metrics: time to slate, offer acceptance rate, and 12-month executive retention
• Experience using structured assessments for leadership hiring (Hogan, behavioral interview design, executive references)
• Ownership of executive onboarding, from offer acceptance through the first 90 days
• Experience building diverse slates without sacrificing speed or quality. Graduate degree strongly preferred or equal relevant years of experience.

Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You: Employees are eligible for benefits, including up to and/or:

• • Health Care Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; Wellness incentives
• Retirement Benefits
• Time off and Leave: Paid vacation days, up to 15 days/year; paid sick days, paid personal leave, up to 5 days/year; paid holidays, up to 13 days/year; and any other leave required by law.
• Disability: Short-term and long-term disability
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account; Health Care Spending Account; Dependent Care Spending Account •

To learn more about our benefits offering, please click here: AutoNation Benefits. The specific benefits available to any employee may vary depend on state and local laws and eligibility factors, such as date of hire and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

AutoNation EEO Statement and Accommodations Process AutoNation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other applicable state or federal protected class. AutoNation provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with section 503 of Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in an interview, or otherwise engage in the hiring process, please contact us at [email protected]. We will make every effort to meet your needs in accordance with applicable laws.

Application Deadline Applications will be accepted for at least 3 days from Job Posting Date: October 26, 2026.

Job Applicant's Privacy Notice. Please click on the link to review the Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

Use of AI Technology-enabled tools may support parts of the recruitment process, with oversight by people.

AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

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Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You:

• Competitive compensation and 401k matching

• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits.

• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear

• Access amazing deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers

• Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide

AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our revolutionary work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.